The Great Q.B. Mistake!

Honestly, if I'm the Raiders, I'm hoping any of the top 6 teams are looking to trade up. None of those teams are going to take a QB, but a few of them might fight over Calvin Johnson. The Raiders can move down, pickup additional first day draft picks and still get Jamarcus Russell. I'm not even sold on Jamarcus being the guy, but I think they want him and this allows them to get as much out of their draft placement as possible.

Agreed...trade down...it's a no-brainer..that team's in trouble.

I think they'd want to play it safe and take a QB with the 1st pick

Naturaly, I agree. I'm not sold that you can slip Russell past Cleveland or Detriot or, for that matter, any other team you would trade with to to get more picks. This team is not in as much "trouble" as some would say. Last years woes can largely be blamed on an 8 year old system, poor leadership & the lack of a true field general. Our QBs ranked 31st & 32nd in the NFL & if you take away all the pressured passing attemps Andrew Walter was still dead last.

It doesn't matter if they pick WR or QB. Neither position will be successful right away because their o-line is one of the worst in NFL history.

Center Jake Grove & tackle Robert Gallery are both first round picks. Every player, especialy first rounders, deserves a fair chance to grow. No one can tell me Art Shell's seven step drops & poor use of the running game gives a player that fair chance. Barry sims has been told by new coach Lane Kiffin that he'll get a shot at regaining the left tackle spot he was moved from by Shell so that would make room for Gallery to go back to right tackle. They could use a veteran in the mix but I'm confident Kiffin's system will utilize them better than Shell's did.

Also, stand outs to look for on the O-Line are Boothe & McQuinston.

grove is not a first, 2nd I think

Oh, my bad!

but you're right, a better system and the line is a lot better. Moving Simms to LT is a good move, he was successful there until Shell came a long. Gallery will be fine at RT and we have Boothe and McQuinstan Grove and most likely a decent draft pick. Also an undrafted free agent named Huntley will be a good back up for depth. The Raiders are not as far away as everyone thinks.

Bottom line, if Russell is the franchise guy I think he is, there is no way you flirt with not picking him first, that would be pure folly. Last years woes were mainly due to a horrible system and shoty QB/OL play. Trading down is not going to make us a playoff team in '07, but a franchise QB will will start the rebuilding process. Kiffin has a 5 year deal, give him a QB who can grow with him and he'll be in the playoffs by the 3rd year no problem.